Back to the 80s Chinese Drama Eng Sub Full Episode: The Most Watched Chinese Drama in 2024

Tapping into China’s fast-changing family values and societal norms, “Back to the 80s” is striking a chord with millions.

The drama follows a modern-day college student, Lulie Stein, who wakes up expecting just another ordinary day. However, to her surprise, she finds herself in the 1980s, a completely different era from where she belongs. Not only is she a disowned daughter of a wealthy family to whom she has no blood connection, but she is also supposed to marry an old man with two children, in place of the family's biological daughter. With no way back, she must adapt to her new role as a stepmother, battle tiresome relatives, and reconcile her modern sensibilities with the customs of the time.

Since its release on Feb. 12 during Spring Festival, this ultrashort series—featuring episodes lasting just a minute or so—earned over 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) on its first day. On Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, related hashtags have garnered over 1 billion views. Combined with traffic on other social platforms, “Back to the 80s Chinese Drama” has drawn attention comparable to blockbuster films. While the ultrashort drama genre still has a reputation for cheesy and cliché stories, similar dramas with improved production quality are now adding to the 500 million-strong audience in China.

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Plot Summary of Back to the 80s Chinese Drama

The story revolves around Lulie Stein, a modern college student who, after waking up one day, finds herself transported back to the 1980s. She discovers she is now the disowned daughter of a wealthy family with whom she has no blood connection. Lulie must marry an old man with two children in place of the family's biological daughter. Lulie must adapt to her new family role as a stepmother, navigate complex relationships with her fiancé’s children and relatives, and balance modern views with traditional customs. Back to the 80s chinese drama is also called “I Became a Stepmother in the 1980s,” a new drama that’s striking a chord with millions across China by tapping into the deeply personal experiences often associated with family dynamics and societal expectations. The drama is rich in family conflict and cultural clashes, reflecting the challenges many young Chinese face today.

Feedback from the Chinese audience

"I've never been a fan of this type of drama until I stumbled upon this show during the Chinese New Year," said Sophia Xu, 30.

She told Dramabox that the show gave her a new perspective on this type of drama." The actors in this drama are more charismatic and the performances are more professional compared to the unnatural acting and annoying lines in previous short dramas. The storyline and scenes are more engaging," she said.

The appeal of Back to the 80s Chinese Drama lies not only in the quality of its production, but also in the fact that it touches on deeper and more relevant themes.

Back to the 80s Chinese Drama Popularity

So far, the popularity of the show has proved lucrative. The show utilizes a micro-payment model unique to ultra-short dramas, with the first 10 or so episodes offered for free in Dramabox. To continue watching, users must pay $1 to $2 to unlock each episode, bringing the price of the entire series to about $40.

The 82-episode series, which lasts less than two minutes each and was shot in just 10 days, was produced by Zhangwan, a new media company specializing in online literature, game publishing, ultra-short videos and new media advertising.

Since 2023, China's online ultra-short drama market has surged. According to market research firm Amedia Consulting, China's ultra-short drama market reached 37.39 billion yuan in 2023, up 267.65% year-on-year.

By 2027, the market is expected to expand to 100 billion yuan. By comparison, China's movie box office will be 54.91 billion yuan in 2023, suggesting that short dramas, a category that has been around for less than five years, now account for more than half of China's movie market.

Indeed short dramas cater to the contemporary audience's need for fast, high-quality entertainment that suits their fragmented time schedules. Improving production quality meets the audience's demand for fast-paced, high-quality entertainment.

Ultra-short dramas, especially those shot on vertical screens, are mainly released on short-video platforms such as Tiktok and Bilibili. Dramabox, which can provide content according to viewers' preferences, has played an important role in boosting the popularity of micro-dramas.

As its popularity has surged, China has tightened regulations, prompting the industry to look outside its borders for growth opportunities.

Character Introductions of Back to the 80s Dramabox

Lulie Stein (Protagonist): 

A modern college student who is accidentally transported to the 1980s. She is intelligent and resilient, striving to find her place in a traditional family setting.

Fiancé: An older man with two children. Though rough around the edges, he is kind-hearted and gradually develops feelings for Lulie.

The Children: 

Initially resistant to their new stepmother, they slowly come to accept her as they see her genuine care.

The Relatives: A diverse group representing traditional values, they often clash with Lulie's modern views.

Recommended Shows

“Fortunes Unveiled: My Husband Is a Big Shot (DUBBED)”: An 89-episode drama following the trials and triumphs of a woman married to a wealthy and influential man.

“Trails of Hope: His Journey Back Home”: A 88-episode series chronicling the emotional and physical journey of a man striving to reunite with his family.

“In the Name of Motherhood”: Another 30-episode drama highlighting the struggles and sacrifices of mothers as they navigate family and societal expectations.

FAQs of Back to the 80s Full Episode

• Who is back to the 80s movie suitable for?

  It is suitable for viewers who enjoy family ethics dramas, time-travel themes, and are interested in 1980s Chinese culture.

• What are the highlights of this drama?

  The drama offers a realistic depiction of family conflicts and cultural clashes, with professional acting, high production quality, and a compelling storyline.

• Where can I watch back to the 80s chinese drama?

  The drama is available on short video platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, as well as on third-party apps within WeChat.